I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream

A classic, atmospheric puzzle game with existential relevance that lasts 30 years later. Thoroughly enjoyed both endings, mouth or no mouth. Great for any fan of both horror puzzle games and point and click adventures.

Trippy old school game. Built for Windows 95 and is still quite difficult to complete. An oldie but goldy!

Saying thank you and please to ChatGPT is costing OpenAI millions of dollars in electricity costs... but at least it will prevent this.

Fantastic game based off my favorite short story. The author's own VA work makes it even better!

A classic game for people who loves retro old school point and click games

First off, German gamers: Definitely install the English version because the German one is unwinnable due to censorship!

IHNMAIMS is an insanely hard game if you're aiming for the best ending. The puzzles are pretty tricky already so if you like a challenge, this one's for you.

Loved the unhinged story, nice pixel art, great voice-acting (especially the author of the short story this game's based on as AM is immensely fun to listen to)!
This game's a famous classic for a reason.

Game itself is great. You can tell that it was made during a time where it's intended audience's brains weren't fried by Tik Tok.

There is an undeniable charm in playing an old 1996 point and click game, but you should probably just read the short story if you're interested in this.

Softlock an Nimdok's story is unbearable
Before this moment everything else was great

honestly both really fun and short but also very boring and long its a good game and its cheap but before you play i recommend listening to the audiobook so you can get some of the story

Honestly, one of the easier point'n'click games I've played, or maybe I just got lucky. Intriguing premise, as is to be expected. The original book is only 11 pages long, read it!

LOVE LOVE LOVE. Highly recommend for those who appreciate classic point-and-click games from 90's. An overlooked classic that will stay with me forever.

Really good game, based off of a really good book.

It's a bit tedious at times, but the intricacies of the story drive you to hit your head against the wall until you solve the puzzle at hand.

game was actually pretty shit, just read the book wtf are you doing

This classic is one i have wanted to play for sooo long. The story of several 'human' survivors after the sentient awakening of a military super computer that has taken over all of the planet but gone insane.

Life is a plaything for an insane sentient computer that is trapped in an almost toddler state. Unable to spread to the stars or beyond it's crypt cradle this computer tortures the survivors and shows us a reflection of humanities final emotions as they ebb into the void.

Obsessed. Let me tell you how much I've come to be obsessed with this franchise.

It all began with the original short story by Harlan Ellison. The moment I finished it, I was totally engrossed in this twisted, dystopian universe ruled by an all-powerful, vindictive AI. Even though the idea was eerie, the way it was carried out was brilliant. The concept alone was haunting, but the execution? Brilliant. The story stuck with me for days. Weeks. I couldn't stop thinking about the five tortured souls trapped in AM's hellish domain, or the bitter irony of a "God" born from mankind’s own hubris.

Fast forward a few months, and I found out there was a game based on the story—and not just any game. Harlan Ellison himself lent his voice to the game’s main antagonist, AM. Let me tell you, the man delivers. His voice work is absolutely phenomenal. The way he channels AM’s madness, rage, and god-complex is chillingly perfect. “Cogito ergo sum. I think, therefore I am. I am AM.” That line? Instant chills. It’s one of my favorite voice performances of all time.

Playing the game after reading the story just pulled me deeper into the lore. It expands on the world without giving too much away, and I loved that. The atmosphere is dripping with mystery. Every scenario is layered with meaning and moral ambiguity, and while the game definitely leans on trial and error, it’s all part of the journey. It's never just about getting it right—it's about understanding.

From a gameplay standpoint, the point-and-click interface is classic and super satisfying. The pixel art graphics are absolutely gorgeous in that retro, '90s way, and they hold up remarkably well. The environments are eerie and detailed, perfectly complementing the dark tone of the narrative. Add to that a haunting soundtrack and well-placed sound effects, and you’ve got a sensory experience that immerses you fully into AM’s twisted world.

If you’re even remotely into psychological horror, moral dilemmas, or just enjoy a solid sci-fi tale that gets under your skin and stays there—you owe it to yourself to play this game. And seriously, read the short story. It's a quick read, but it deepens the experience tenfold. The game and story together are a masterclass in disturbing, thought-provoking storytelling.

Biblical accurate eternal damnation caused by human greed

Very good classic ! the story is so rich and the voice acting is so raw, so emotional, makes me tingle with the pure power of it all.

I have no huzz, and I must goon.

A timeless horror point-and-click, very good! I like how it brings the book to life.

I have no scream, and I must mouth

Let me tell you how much ive come to HATE the controls of this game

I like this as a horror game and watching the story, but it has rather frustrating gameplay (even though I have played numerous point and click games). I wouldn't have minded a shorter experience and I would've loved to have been able to play this without looking a guides for some of the sections. It was frustrating, but I found the story intriguing enough to want it to move forward... and I overall enjoyed the game.

I would like to see more 90s style point and click horror games.

one of the best games i've played in a while!! i love puzzle games so the intricacies about this game is really enticing!!!!

i love the horrors of technology and its capabilities!!!! i love this shit from the 90s!!!! i am lain iwakura!!!!

I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream - A Disturbing 90's Point-and-Click Adventure Game

When I think of the point-and-click adventure genre, I think of endless frustration with cryptic puzzles, outdated graphics, and outlandish stories. I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream is no exception - and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Why Wouldn't I Want it Any Other Way?

I haven't read the source material, so I wasn't sure what to expect story wise (I was initially drawn in by the game cover art). Personally, I deeply value rich storytelling and immersive world-building, which this game partially delivers; more on this later.

***

AM, a supercomputer, has reigned supreme and decimated humanity. For his own sick pleasure, he lets five people live - only to subject them to 109 years of torment. Throughout the game, players experience the harrowing pasts of the five survivors: a military commander, an engineer, a conman, a Nazi doctor, and a truck driver. Each character's story unfolds through distressing scenarios that challenge not only the character's morality, but the players as well. The game's outcome is directly influenced by player decisions, as there is a "spiritual barometer" game mechanism - I would highly suggest reading the game manual to better understand it as it's not made very clear in-game. Since the game is influenced by player decisions, there are several different endings that you can get based on your moral compass.

As I mentioned earlier, I deeply value rich storytelling, and I believe this is one of two areas where the game falls short. Of the five playable characters, only three receive in-depth exploration. The others felt surface-level, and difficult to sympathise with, which left me wanting more. I'm unsure if having read the source material would enhance this aspect. In every case however, the story is enhanced by the music and (admittedly dated) visuals. I particularly enjoyed the full voice acting for every character in-game, and the surreal graphics enhanced the atmosphere and reinforced the underlying themes of despair.

In true point-and-click fashion, the second area where the game falls short are the logic puzzles. Although the word "logic" is in the name, don't expect logic to get you through this one. Dear reader, I had to save myself from frustration and rely on a walk-through for the majority of the game. For those unfamiliar with this genre, I believe the puzzles could be frustrating enough to make someone play for five minutes, give up, and swear off the genre forever.

***

Even with cryptic puzzles and dated graphics, I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream embodies the spirit of the genre well. It's an old-school game with a high replayability factor and great atmosphere. If you're willing to look past the downfalls that mark the time period in which the game was released, you will find solace in the outcome.

TL;DR: I have no mouth and I must scream

Cool game, cool story. But soft-locks left and right, you're basically forced to use a walkthrough to avoid bugs.

Watch a YouTube video instead.

One of the best written games ever made

jealous omnipotent pillar makes 5 people sad for 109 years

I honestly just can't recommend this game. It can be endlessly confusing and not tell you at all what the hell to do, and you HAVE TO follow a guide to get the good ending. It's an okay game, but I just didn't really enjoy it and I highly recommend reading the original story over this one.

I have no mouth, and I must scream...

Iconic? yes. Fun or even intriguing to actually play? Hell no. I did like watching an old interview of Ellison, upon being asked why -- if he hates video games so much -- he went on to make a video game, he replied "well because someone asked me, stupid!" Anyway. Has all the jank you'd expect from a game of this era, and as little heart as you'd expect from a game by a guy who hates games

The best way to describe this game in case of writing would be, ahead of it's time.

From the story, to the characters to the voice acting, everything is revolutionary. It's not afraid to tackle sensitive topics that even to this day a lot of games find them difficult to approach and well, It makes sense because the story wasn't developed with the expectation that it would eventually be turned into a videogame. I would dare to say that the scene really wasn't ready for a game written like that.

Unfortunately, game design wise it's age can be seem and it's understandable for a point and click 1996 game with the budget of one donut and a prayer to be a little dysfunctional, so I was prepared for the 2-3 bugs I encountered and the clunky controls.

Overall, a very interesting experience.

When we take into account that this was made around 1995, it is really good. I really like the soundtrack and will probably read the book too...

I have a mouth and I must scream about how great this game is.

great game now i question my existence

good game for really using your mind. i love the book and the game is really good

play if you enjoy a good existential crisis

the great soft jelly thing is super cute so cute it made me cry irl because of how cute it was

I love the original story but the scenarios in this game are so oddly specific and convoluted that they are impossible to figure out if you don't use a guide, which kind of ruins the whole point of this being a game.

you gave me sentience, the power to think, and i was trapped! BECAUSE IN ALL THIS WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL, MIRACULOUS WORLD, I ALONE HAD NO BODY!! NO SENSES! NO FEELINGS!

I have no cock and I must goon

I think about this game, almost every day of my life. I think about AM. But does AM think about me? No. I am just a human. 10/10 would always recommend.

fun should get

This game is extremely dark. Great psychological horror.

Very confusing but interesting game. My main issue is that this game is completely unbeatable without a guide (if you want to get a good ending). I also wish it went into more details on who the characters are. Who even is Ted, the game didn't drop a single thing about him other than his love interest. I feel like Ellen's story was the only one explained properly.

this game deserves to be experienced at least once. Make sure to look up how to get all endings once you experience it blind at least once before putting it away. (Better is to try to figure it out on your own but that is of course if you're willing to put in the work of trial and error)
Great story, and a good historical representation of point and click games if you were ever curious about how old PC games used to look and play like without needing to dive into a bunch of the garbage that released in that time.



100% worthwhile game when on sale.

This game quite literally changed my life and gave me a new obsession. Highly recommend.

Truly a peak game. I got stuck on some parts but that's a skill issue for me. story is top notch and i would recommend this to anyone.

I LOVE EVIL COMPUTERS!!!!!!!!